STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Assam is faring worse than the national average with respect to three crucial areas pertaining to IMR (Infant Mortality Rate or the deaths of newly born babies or infants), U5MR (children below five years) and MMR (Maternity Mortality Rate). In fact, Assam’s mortality rates in all these crucial areas have been significantly higher than the respective national rates for the past decade from 2008 to 2017.
This has been revealed in a written reply given by Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to a question raised by Congress legislator Ajanta Neog in the Assembly on Tuesday. The Health Minister’s reply quoted the statistics mentioned in the ‘Sample Registration System’ (SRS) published by Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Notably, SRS reports with respect to IMR and U5MR after 2017 are yet to be published as are the SRS reports on MMR after 2014-16.
The information showed that with respect to IMR or infant (new born) mortality in 2017, the death rate in Assam was 44 as against 1000 live births whereas the national average during the same period was 33. In 2016, the Assam IMR status was 44 as against the national IMR of 34; In 2015, it was 47 (Assam) as against 37 (national); In 2014, it was 49 (Assam) as against 39 (national); In 2013, it was 54 (Assam) as against 40 (national); In 2012, it was 55 (Assam) as against 42 (national); In 2011, it was 55 (Assam) as against 44 (national); In 2010, it was 58 (Assam) as against 47 (national); In 2009, it was 61 (Assam) as against 50 (national); and in 2008 it was 64 (Assam) as against 53 (national).
The death of children under-five years of age (U5MR) in Assam during 2017 was 48 as against 1,000 live births. The national average during the period was 37. In 2016, the Assam U5MR status was 52 as against the national IMR of 39; In 2015, the corresponding rates were 62 (Assam) and 43 (national); In 2014 it was 66 (Assam) and 45 (national); In 2013 it was 73 (Assam) and 49 (national); In 2012 it was 75 (Assam) and 52 (national); In 2011 it was 78 (Assam) and 55 (national); In 2010 it was 83 (Assam) and 59 (national); In 2009 it was 87 (Assam) and 64 (national); and in 2008 it was 88 (Assam) and 69 (national).
During 2014-16, the rate of maternity mortality rate (MMR) in Assam was 237 as against one lakh (1,00,000) live births; while the national average then was 130. During 2011-13, Assam MMR status was 300 as against the national status of 167. During 2010-12, Assam MMR status was 328 as against the national status of 178.